David Villa edged closer to a Spanish record with his game-breaking goal in the European champions' 1-0 win over Paraguay to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup at Ellis Park here on Saturday.
Villa became the tournament's leading scorer with his fifth goal to crack the clustering Paraguayan defence seven minutes from time.
Spain will now play Germany in the last four in Durban on Wednesday.
It was the new Barcelona man's 43rd goal in his 63rd international and puts him just one goal behind Raul's 44 goals in 102 games as Spain's all-time leading scorer.
Villa, 28, has already become the top marksman for Spain in FIFA World Cup history with eight goals, leaving behind Spanish greats, Emilio Butragueno, Fernando Hierro, Fernando Morientes and Raul, who all netted five times at the tournament.
While Liverpool strike partner Fernando Torres again failing to make an impression - he was substituted after 56 minutes following his fifth scoreless appearance after ankle surgery in April – Villa goes from strength to strength.
Villa's late intervention saved Spain from the anxiety of being drawn into extra time and possibly a penalty shootout with the tenacious South Americans after a sensational exhange of missed penalties midway through the second half.
Villa has become one of the stars of this World Cup, scoring twice in Spain's 2-0 win over Honduras, the opening goal in the 2-1 victory over Chile, and the winner against Portugal in the round-of-16 before his latest strike against Paraguay.
